Christmas ?

Are you in good health? If you are I am so pleased for you. Would you be well enough to be a volunteer and help a charity? If not perhaps you could invite someone else who would be alone to share a meal with you. I wish you all the best, take care and as a lot of Gransnet members advise ‘take one day at a time’.

Whatever others would do, or however others feel about Christmas, the point is that you are feeling as you do, and that's what matters.

I like EmilyHarburn's idea of going to a hotel, if Covid allows, so you won't be alone, but does that appeal to you?

11unicorn's idea is a lovely one, too

There are several companies ie saga who do good packages for Christmas breaks. A couple of years ago I treated myself to a Christmas break at champneys, they don't charge single supplements at Christmas and I had a really lovely time. I've had a few foreign holidays on my own at Christmas which have been really good but that might not be an option this year.

effalump

Oh no! It's still July, please don't mention the 'C' word.

Hear hear x 100

I dislike the adjective “Christmassy”. Loathe the expression “all the trimmings”.

Sorry but all this advice about treating yourself to a lovely bday doing what you want…. Does it not occur to posters that if someone is alone in 25/12. Then most days will be alone.?

As some of you know, my DH lives in France and, in the seven years since we've been together, we've spent Christmas there or here, including one with my DD2.

Last year being together was out of the question but I tried to make the best of it. Luckily, being asked to be the accompanist for an early service at church helped. After that, I made the most of the chance to eat lovely food when I liked, helped along by family Zoom calls and Prosecco!

This year, who knows? Whatever happens, being here to celebrate the day is a blessing in these troubled times. Buy yourself treats, have a tree and do whatever helps you mark the day. I hope the ideas others have suggested will interest you, Empress.

I hated last Christmas so much - I cannot bear to think about it!

If you are not disabled or unable to get out of the house, why not volunteer with, for example the Salvation Army who feed the needy, poor families or homeless at Christmas? Start asking around now to see if u can volunteer somewhere. It might help you through the day and you certainly wouldn’t be lonesome!
Chin up & a hug …

An old friend of mine, volunteered every Christmas, it made him feel really useful and needed.
www.crisis.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/volunteer-for-crisis-at-christmas/

Oh no! It's still July, please don't mention the 'C' word.

I think if I felt like you do I’d treat myself to something every 3 weeks until Christmas came round, putting the little gifts away like muver says, it’s a long time until Christmas, I wouldn’t be worrying myself about it now, I don’t know if you have any family, or friends that live near you, but I would try to find out if you could volunteer to help others in the same boat as you, that’s if you are able to of course, and no you are not a fool. Best wishes to you and try and stay positive x

One day at a time!! Please.

Are we short on threads, I wonder.

Why don't you each month buy yourself a little something wrap it up and put it in a safe place with your decorations and then come christmas you will have all these presents that if your like me forgot all about and that will make it special even more for you..Music playing in the morning why you open them ..what fun that will be for you x

My mum refused to think about Christmas until after my birthday which is early December. Needless to say she didn’t do a lot of baking, and nor do I.
Seriously, why torture yourself so soon?
There are many positives. You can watch what TV you like, eat what you like, do whatever you want. For myself, I would be able to spend the day with my children and grandchildren if I were on my own, which I can’t now, as DH wants to stay at home.

So very sorry to hear you talk about Christmas in this way. Perhaps you can turn things around to a more positive outlook and volunteer to do something for someone else that needs help or support this Christmas. There are so many out there who dread it every year so would greatly appreciate your help.
I am sending you a hug ?

Oh bless you Empress. I can quite understand why you have brought up this subject well in advance, and I think it's a great idea to plan ahead and maybe get ideas from others with a view to put things in place and feel happier about it
You don't say if you actually have any family at all or how old you are, but perhaps Age uk or similar could help, also local churches are excellent for such things.
Try and join some local groups to make new friends who are in the same situation. Have a look at Meetup online.
Wishing you all the very best

I don't much like Christmas on my own, but you get used to it. Tree up on 20th, small turkey breast and all the trimmings for Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and freeze the leftovers. Two presents under the tree, one for and one from my cat. Stick a "happy face" on and go for a walk in the morning, and see who I can chat to. It's soon over but I feel better having made the effort.
Worse than Christmas Day is the run up. When I was a child, the build up to Christmas started on the first of December, now it starts earlier each year, last year, even with Covid, the adverts, decorations etc started in September. If anything makes me feel sad, it is the four months of constant reminders that I will be alone for the big day.

You're not a fool, you tried to make a nice Christmas for someone, namely yourself. You count also. Hopefully this Christmas will be a happy one for you.

Go to church. Company, lovely music, and the magic of the Christmas miracle. Even if you don’t believe much it’s still so lovely, and no one will quiz you about your beliefs, they will just be very pleased to see you xxx

Nowt wrong with being on your own at xmas, I have for the past 7yrs and don't expect it to change any time soon.

I don't do the tree, I get 3 cards from my son, best friend and a neighbour, telly is crap, so I shut the house up on 23rd, drug myself to sleep for 3 or 4 days but don't open the front door until at least 29th.

When I unwrapped everything I felt like a fool. ..I know its July lol, who knows if i'll even be alive
Empress Why so!?
Had you guessed wrong as to what was in each one when you shook it!? A box of Maltesers is a dead give-away!
But take care and keep the wrapping, or you might forget who it's from, especially if there's no card with it!
Cheers

Would you be fit enough to join a voluntary group making christmas goodfor others? I feel that I might do that if I was alone. One year after chatting to a lady at the checkout of M&S food she said that she would be on her own so I invited her to share our Christmas. Unfortunately she did not come.
I feel strongly that I would not want an invitation from my children because they felt duty bound

Take and enjoy each day and forget about Christmas. Maybe about the end of September look at somewhere nice you could go for Christmas. I find that even alone I make friends in hotels or on a cruise.

I've read (on here??) that some people buy themselves one of the commercial advent gift calendars so that they have something to open which will be a sort of surprise.

It’s occurred to me more than once during the past few years, that much as I love the C-word, I really enjoy the run up - all the lights and decorations, carols, making mince pies and puddings, etc. - and the week after, more than the actual day.
It’s nothing to do with having to cook - I’ve never minded making the C-word dinner.
The week after is so relaxing - hardly any cooking - lots of lovely leftovers to eat up. Even if we’re elsewhere for the day, I’ll make sure we have plenty of those.

Last year was the first that I had spent at home for many years as my son and I usually go to my sisters for the day.
It was quite nice , I thought, to be able not to have to get up and dressed and out of the door by a certain time, and I usually get ratty with my son because I have been running around , feeding the rabbit, and cat, making sure that all of the presents are in the bag and then seeing my son swan downstairs 5 minutes before we leave!
There are some pluses to having Christmas on your own - you can wander around in your night clothes as long as you want if you want, you can eat what you fancy and not have to have turkey etc, watch what you want on tv, or watch no tv at all!
If you want to put up decorations etc, why not do it? as well as the presents etc.
If you want to do something else this year, there is plenty of time to make plans and do just you want to do. Why bother what others think?